Brookings Hobo Day 2026: 46 Arrests, DUI and Zero-Tolerance Charges Rise
Northeast Radio SD News – Brookings, SD - Law enforcement agencies booked 46 arrests at the Brookings County Sheriff's Office during the 2026 Hobo Day weekend, with driving under the influence and zero-tolerance charges up by nine from 2025, according to official reports released Monday, Oct. 26, 2026.
The arrest report covers bookings from 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, through noon Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. In addition to the custodial bookings, the Brookings County Sheriff's Office issued seven citations across Friday and Saturday.
2026 vs. 2025 Arrest Charge Comparisons
DUI and zero-tolerance charges accounted for the largest year-over-year increase during the weekend enforcement period, rising from 12 in 2025 to 21 in 2026. Meanwhile, charges for possession of a revoked, altered, or fictitious license or driving without a license saw the largest decrease, dropping by five from 12 in 2025 to seven in 2026.
A complete breakdown of charges recorded during the 2026 Hobo Day booking window compared to 2025 includes:
· DUI / Zero Tolerance Charges: 21 in 2026 (12 in 2025, +9)
· Underage Possession of Alcohol or Open Container: 12 in 2026 (13 in 2025, -1)
· Possession of Revoked, Altered, or Fictitious License / Driving Without License: seven in 2026 (12 in 2025, -5)
· Assault Charges: five simple assaults and zero aggravated assaults in 2026 (four in 2025, +1)
· Disorderly Conduct / Obstructing Law Enforcement / Resisting Arrest: five in 2026 (three in 2025, +2)
· Miscellaneous Traffic Charges: five in 2026 (seven in 2025, -2)
· Misdemeanor Drug Charges: four in 2026 (three in 2025, +1)
· Grand Theft: two in 2026 (zero in 2025, +2)
· Felony Drug Charges: zero in 2026 (zero in 2025, no change)
· Rape: zero in 2026 (zero in 2025, no change)
· Intentional Damage: zero in 2026 (zero in 2025, no change)
Daily Arrest Totals and Agency Breakdown
Saturday, Oct. 24, accounted for the majority of the weekend's jail bookings. Across the three-day reporting window, law enforcement booked 34 males and 12 females:
· Friday, Oct. 23: four arrests (two males, two females)
· Saturday, Oct. 24: 29 arrests (24 males, five females)
· Sunday, Oct. 25: 13 arrests (eight males, five females)
Multiple state, county, municipal, and campus agencies contributed to the 46 total arrests. The South Dakota Highway Patrol (SDHP) recorded 14 arrests, the Brookings Police Department (BPD) made 13 arrests, the Brookings County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) made 12 arrests, the University Police Department (UPD) made six arrests, and another agency recorded one arrest.
Brookings County Sheriff's Office Citation Report
According to the citation report printed Oct. 26, 2026, by Sheriff Martin E. Stanwich, the Brookings County Sheriff's Office issued seven total citations across Oct. 23 and Oct. 24:
Friday, Oct. 23 (Three Citations)
· Driving while suspended: one
· Failure to stop at a stop sign: one
· Simple assault: one
Saturday, Oct. 24 (Four Citations)
· Driving while suspended; petty theft; all others less than $400: one
· Driving without headlights: one
· Failure to immediately report an accident: one
· Speeding on other roadways (6-10 mph over): one
